A two-show exhibit is planned at Tusculum’s Clem Allison Gallery on Friday, Dec. 1, from 5-7 p.m. on the Greeneville campus.
The exhibit focuses on two shows: Steve Haselroth’s “Pensive Allurements,” an exhibition of drawings, and “Mondays,” an exhibition of paintings by various amateur artists.
The Haselroth exhibit is a collection of eight drawings and watercolors of portraits. Mr. Haselroth’s work “reflects a particular emotion and a story to tell behind a face,” according to Bill Bledsoe, assistant professor of visual communications and design and chair of the Fine Arts Department at Tusculum.
Haselroth received a degree in art education from the University of Missouri and a second degree in healthcare administration from the University of Oklahoma. He served in the medical field for the United States Navy. Following his retirement, he rekindled his passion for drawing and painting, working with youth in the Greeneville area, helping to develop their interest in art.
“Moment of Reflection” by Steve Haselroth
“Haselroth’s work is an excellent visual study in the development and content of portraiture as well as the classical and foundational approach to drawing which is the premise to all great art,” said Bledsoe.
“Mondays” is a collection of oil paintings by independent students who participated in a Monday night course at the McKinney Arts Center in Jonesborough. The class was taught by Bledsoe.
Bledsoe implemented a custom curriculum for beginning painters. The range of ages in the class were sixth grade to senior citizens. The entire group followed the same class plan and concluded with each student creating an accomplished work based on college standards.
This approach is encouraged by Bledsoe, who has taught this curriculum for 25 years to his college seniors majoring in art. Many of these graduates are considering obtaining a Master of Arts in teaching at Tusculum, which would qualify a graduate to teach art for grades K-12. According to Bledsoe, learning this instructional process would increase their advantage to not only be hired in a public school system, but also to excel in their capacity to teach art at a high level to all students, regardless of their aptitude in the area of art.